At but a short distance, as he stood concealed by the thickets through which he was moving, he saw several hundred Indian warriors, plumed and painted, and armed to the teeth.

They had probably just broken up from a council, and were moving about among the trees.
His fears magnified their numbers to thousands.
Terror-stricken, he turned for the fort, and with almost the fleetness of a deer entered the gate with his tidings.

Even his black face was pallid with fright, as he breathlessly told his story.

"The Indians," said he, "were as many, and as close together as the trees.

There were thousands." The alarm was sounded in the garrison.